Battle of Tavarone

The Battle of Tavarone (1496) was a battle of the Italian War of 1494-98, fought between the armies of France and the Republic of Florence. The battle saw the destruction of a major Florentine army in Liguria, allowing for the French to proceed on to conquer the last Florentine stronghold of Fivizzano in the aftermath.

By early 1496, French reinforcements were pouring into Italy to assist King Charles VIII of France during his campaigns in Tuscany and Umbria. Two of these armies, commanded by Robert de La Marck and Francoys Becot, were sent to conquer the Florentine stronghold of Fivizzano, a fortress nestled in the mountains of northern Tuscany. The French armies advanced on the city, but they found the path blocked by Beltramino de Milan's Florentine army. Rather than fight in front of the city, Milan unwisely chose to withdraw into Liguria, far from any reinforcements. When the French engaged his army, he still faced two French armies. The Battle of Tavarone occurred on the side of a tall mountain, and the French were able to position their cannon atop cliffs, giving them a perfect view of the Florentine soldiers below. The French army, including Swiss Pikemen, were stationed in the valley. The French bombarded the Florentines with cannon fire as their own soldiers prepared battle positions closer to the Florentines, who were backed into a corner; their back was to the mountains, while their front was to French soldiers. The Florentines made another mistake when they launched a cavalry charge against the Swiss Pikemen, who speared them from their horses with their pikes. The Florentines then found themselves unable to retreat, as they were overwhelmed by French soldiers and Swiss mercenaries. The Florentines were massacred, and Milan himself was also slain. The French won a great victory, clearing the path for the capture of Fivizzano.